Alan Gross has been in a Cuban prison for the past two years for unwittingly bringing in a computer and cell phone to the Jewish Community in order to connect them to the internet and the broader Jewish Community especially in this hemisphere. He had not been aware that this was illegal in Cuba, and was assured by his employer, USAID, that it was in fact legal. He unfortunately has thirteen years remaining of his fifteen year sentence. He is now 62 years old and will be 75 years old when he is released. He has already lost one hundred pounds due to illness and is in a prison hospital, one of his daughters is recovering from cancer, and his mother has cancer. The family house has been lost, since one of the main earners in the family is incarcerated in Cuba.
This is a case of injustice. Let us compare it to another case. Scotland released the Lockerbie bomber to Libya against the background of worldwide protests, on the basis that he was terminally ill, and Scotland did this on the grounds of a so-called humanitarian gesture. Never mind that it was ludicrous to do this, and that he is still alive. Surely, if Scotland can releases the Lockerbie bomber, Alan Gross can be released on humanitarian grounds alone, since he is ill, and he has no record of having committed a crime of any sort against anyone!
The former Soviet Union, an ally of Cuba, put the squeeze on the Jewish people who applied for emigration. These Jews would lose their jobs, they were followed, many were beaten, and they had to repay the Government for their education. Those who taught or secretly studied Hebrew were jailed, given token trials, and sentenced to prison, though none were sentenced so severely as Alan Gross in Cuba. The Soviet Union, which has now crumbled, was an example of Titan, the myth of Gods who devour their own children.
For a number of years now, there has been an easing of people visiting Cuba, as tourists, or visiting family, as well as those wishing to establish contact with the Cuban Jewish community, so they are less isolated. Many Jewish groups have visited as well as students from local schools such as Sidwell Friends. Cuba is a poor country and all Cubans are suffering from the isolation of their country.
Jewish groups have been able to bring prayers books, tallitot, and ritual objects, medicine as well as friendship and outreach. It is our hope to bring all remote Jewish communities, such as the one in Cuba, closer to other Jew-ish communities. One way to do this is through the inter-net. The most frequent response to the question I pose to an engaged couple is ‘How did you meet?’ The most frequent response is JDate – through the internet. Resources in the Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform and Humanist branches of Judaism are available through the internet.
Prayers for all occasions as well as history can be found. Jewish law and opinions, as well as scholarship, including the complete Tanach, Mishna, Talmud, Codes, and Responsa are available. These are available in Spanish as well as English an Hebrew. However small a communi-ty, looking for relatives, looking for JDate, when there are few people to meet, looking for rabbinic guidance or assistance, these are all valid reasons for electronic connections.
What is Cuba worried about? Can they be worried that a few hundred Jews can foment a revolution or the take over a government? Is this not laughable? Where is the precedent?
Over a month ago , my neighbor, Gwen Zuarez, who is Judy Gross’ sister, and Alan Gross’ sister-in-law, joined us at services in Rockville. Their family is reluctant to say anything antagonistic about the Castro Government of Cuba. Instead they have organized a vigil, every Monday from 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm. at 16th Street in front of the Embassy of Switzerland where the Cuban Mission has an office. The idea is to be present every week until Alan Gross is released.
Today both Rep. Chris Van Hollen and Senator Ben Cardin crafted a letter demanding the release of Alan Gross. “Alan’s work in Cuba on behalf of USAID was with a peaceful, non-dissident, Jewish community. His work was Humanitarian.”
He is not a threat to anyone! He has worked in Asia, Africa, Israel, and the West Bank to develop trade and agriculture.
I walked outside several days ago, and I saw a ladder, a sullam, across the street in my neighbor’s tree. A broken branch was hanging in the tree and my neighbor was trying to figure out how to remove it, since it was his obligation to protect anyone walking under the tree who might be clopped by the branch if it fell. He had gone up the ladder but returned to earth finding that the branch was too high. I suggested that a rope be thrown so that he could pull down the branch, yet step away. Last week we read about the sullam in Jacob’s dream – a ladder with angels going up and descending. When Jacob awakes he says: “God was in this place and I did not know!”
Cuba has a good man, a Jewish man in jail . This is a mistake. We will not stop until he is back! Our prayers are with his family, that they be reunited soon, and on the way to healing – physically, emotionally, and spiritually from this nightmare of the last two years.
Let our vigil be a ladder which Alan can use to make his way back with angles ascending and descending. We will work together for his Freedom so that we can one day say, just as we say when we end a book of Torah – Hazak, Hazak, Venitchazek! Be Strong, Be Strong, and Together we will strengthen one another!